Truck plows into parade crowd in Overton

At least one Cub Scout remains hospitalized following an accident that occurred as people were lining up for Overton's Christmas parade last night. Twelve people were reported injured — 10 children ages 7 to 11 and two adults.

An elderly man driving a red pickup truck plowed through barricades along the parade route, said Jerdy Wolverton, Rusk County Precinct 1 justice of the peace. City Manager B.J. Potts said Monday night the driver was arrested and it did not appear alcohol was a factor.

The city manager and Overton Police Chief Clyde Carter were unavailable for comment at press time Tuesday, but City Attorney Blake Thompson issued a statement saying the city was "deeply saddened by the unfortunate accident that occurred last night."

The accident occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Commerce Street, which is also known as Hwy. 135. Sponsored by the Overton Chamber of Commerce, the parade was to begin at 6.

Charles Lacy George, 82, of Troup "went around a barricade and struck the New London Cub Scout Troop 912," according to Thompson's statement. The scouts were lining up to march in the parade.

George was arrested for reckless driving and was set to be arraigned Tuesday morning at the Rusk County Courthouse. Overton police, meanwhile, are continuing their investigation.

The city attorney said eight of the children and two adults, Kim Searle and Nicole Grier, both of Overton, were treated and released from area hospitals.

"One child was care flighted to Children's Hospital in Dallas where he is being treated but we have been told is in good condition," per Thompson's handwritten statement.

Thompson said counselors were to be available at Overton schools, Thompson said. A prayer vigil is planned tonight at 7 at First United Methodist Church in New London.

JP Wolverton said the man was traveling south and the parade route would have traveled north on Commerce Street, which is Hwy. 135 in town.

The Cub Scouts were reported to be members of Pack 912 in New London.

Wolverton said he and Bill Hale, Rusk County commissioner, were in the parade lineup and standing about 30 feet from where the accident occurred.

"We were putting signs on my truck when we heard an awful thumping noise and screaming. I turned around and saw a lot of people on the ground," Wolverton said. "It was one of the most awful sounds I think I've ever heard."

The JP said ambulance personnel were parked behind his truck and they immediately ran to the scene and began treating the wounded. Wolverton sid he walked over to the driver's truck and told him to turn it off and stay in the vehicle until law enforcement personnel arrived. Then he called the Rusk County sheriff 's office to request help.

The 20-year Kilgore Police Department veteran said he worked to keep the crowd back so EMTs could do their job, but people were cooperative and helpful though the scene was chaotic.

"The work done by the medical personnel was tremendous," Wolverton said, adding a nurse who was there for the parade asked to help.

Four ambulances and two helicopters treated the injured; one helicopter took a 7-year-old boy to a Dallas hospital and the other took another 7-year-old boy to Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, Wolverton said.

"The best I could tell, one boy had multiple breaks in his leg and he was taken to Dallas," Wolverton said. "The other one, based on what I was told this morning, went to Mother Frances in Tyler."

Wolverton said two women were also taken by ambulance to Tyler. One possibly had a broken arm and the other complained of chest pains, Wolverton said. Both were reportedly treated and released Monday night.

John Moore, a spokesman for Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, told The Associated Press that of the seven people brought there, five were treated and released. He said that those treated and released include two women — ages 28 and 33 — and three boys — ages 8, 9 and 11.

Moore said a 7-year-old boy was in good condition and another 7-year-old boy was in serious condition.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.